Regulator investigates community care in Cornwall

An investigation into community care services in Cornwall has been launched after a provider ended its contract.

In July, Peninsula Community Health (PCH) said it would not extend its contract beyond March to provide community care such as community hospitals and district nursing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Regulator Monitor said people should have access to the essential services.

The PCH said funding did not meet the demand.

Monitor, the regulator for health services in England, said it wanted to understand what action might need to be taken to "ensure patients continue to have access to these essential services".

It is the first investigation involving an independent provider by the regulator.

Steve Jenkin, PCH's chief executive, said: "Being a social enterprise we were unable to operate a deficit and have no assets to borrow against.

"We have been involved in three separate independent reports which have looked at the level of funding required and it would be irresponsible of us to enter into a contract where the funding doesn't meet the required activity.

"We welcome Monitor's investigations to understand what action it might need to take to ensure that patients continue to have access to essential community services and will make every effort to co-operate with them," he added.

Richard Peden, Monitor's director of independent providers, said: "We want to understand the financial challenges facing the organisation and crucially how we can support a smooth transition of services to a new community care provider.

"Our priority is making sure that patients in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can continue to benefit from good community care throughout this process."

The organisation was formed as a social enterprise or "community interest company" which is not-for-profit and run for the benefit of the community.

Monitor said no decision has been made on whether action is needed.

NHS Kernow is the clinical commissioning group for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and is yet to comment.